World Health Day observed across state

Dimapur, April 7 (MExN): Health workers, organisations and government departments across Nagaland commemorated World Health Day under the theme ‘Our Planet, Our Health’ with a variety of activities on April 7, according to press releases received here on Thursday. 

World Health Day is celebrated every year to raise awareness about the ongoing health issues that concern people across the world. The day is also used as an opportunity to spread awareness about the overall health and well-being of the people. 

In Kohima, a workshop was organised by Reckitt, the global leading consumer health and hygiene company with Durex India’s ‘The Birds and Bees Talk’ (TBBT) programme, on the premise of empowering the youth with the knowledge to make healthier and smarter choices, for a healthier tomorrow.

The TBBT workshops were also organised in Manipur, Mizoram, and Sikkim, to impart awareness on making the right choices and adapting healthy habits to build healthier and happier lives, a press release stated.

Focusing on the five pillars of awareness, consent, protection, equity and inclusion, this initiative hosted multiple workshops on the theme “What you do for a healthier tomorrow?” with sub themes of creating a healthier tomorrow; making sustainable choices; adopting a healthier lifestyle and initiating conversations based on the life skills curriculum, it added.

As per the release, imminent guest speakers at the various workshops spoke about the increasing instances of diseases like cancer, asthma as well as heart problems alluding to the need to build sustainable and healthier environments. These sessions also focused on the mental and physical well-being of the adolescents, in accordance with the vision to build a holistic, well balanced and #healthiertomorrow, it said.

Based on the theme ‘Our Planet, Our Health,’ the speaker sessions were followed by activities and competitions such as painting, extempore, dance performances and skits, to engage and motivate students to emerge as agents of change.

On the occasion, Director External Affairs and Partnerships SOA, Reckitt Ravi Bhatnagar said that the company has been working to promote healthier and happier lives and through the TBBT, it aims to empower the adolescents and youth with right information to take informed decisions leading to healthier lifestyles for a better, safer and healthier future. “The initiative strives to create a safe space in a healthy planet, not just to simply live in but thrive in and foster a movement to create societies focused on well-being,” the release quoted him as saying.

Similarly, Mohammed Asif, the Executive Director of Plan India stated that the workshops were aimed at creating a healthier tomorrow by educating the youth on the benefits of making healthier choice to ensure physical, mental and sexual well-being, alongside a healthier planet by adopting sustainable practice and healthy lifestyles. 

“TBBT is a unique curriculum to address the adolescents’ mental and sexual health. On this World Health Day our vision is to work towards transforming the lives of youth, and preparing them for a better and brighter tomorrow,” the release quoted Nagaland’s Principal Director for School Education Shanavas C as saying.

School children also shared their experiences and the positive impact that TBBT has brought in their lives, it added.

Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Kohima, Department of Health & Family Welfare, NHM Observed World Health Day on the theme ‘Our Planet, Our health’ at CMO’s office premises on April 7. (Photo Courtesy: CMO Kohima)

CMO Kohima: As per updates from Kohima Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Vezokholu Theyo, a programme was held at the CMO’s office premises wherein Dr Theyo informed the public about the Social Health Responsibility Campaign which is ongoing at urban wards and colonies. Awareness, sensitizing the public and health talk was done by Program officers on Ayushmaan Bharat–PMJAY, Reproductive Child Health/Universal Immunization Programme, Vector Borne Diseases/COVID testing & Vaccination and Tuberculosis Programme, the updates stated.

CMO Mon: Health units across Mon district conducted programmes to spread awareness about quality living and the importance of health, as per a press release from Leeyan Chemshy, Media Officer, NHM Mon.

At the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Aboi, a short programme was held in collaboration with Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong (KNSK) Aboi, with Additional Deputy Commissioner Chumlamo Humtsoe was special guest. Dr Neiprezo gave a presentation on the theme while Dr Hangsa and Chumlamo spoke on the importance of health, it said.

Chenloishu Health &Wellness Centre (HWC) team observed the day at Government High School Chenloishu, creating awareness among young minds about the significance of staying healthy. Meanwhile, CHC Tobu, CHC Wakching, Primary Health Centre (PHC) Phomching, HWC Jakphang, PHC Chen celebrated the day as well by sensitizing it staff on raising awareness on public health and to focus on how everyone should pledge to stay fit.

CMO Phek: At the Phek CMO office, Dr Rongsen from the Phek District Hospital spoke on the importance of adopting healthy a lifestyle by consuming organic and local products which are easily available in the market. He also elaborated on the lifestyle which is affecting the health of the community such as deforestation, using of poly bags, high consumption of meat etc., and encouraged the participants to plant more trees, save electricity, and save water to keep the land green and healthy. 

Basing on the theme, Epidemiologist Dr Limatoshi spoke on preventive health care and non-communicable diseases, underscoring that non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and cardiovascular diseases are on the rise. Towards this, the emphasised on the need to maintain balanced diet and avoid consuming food which are harmful for the health. 

Earlier, Dr Ngopelo, SMO DH Phek chaired the programme which was attended by staff of CMO office and DH Phek.

Zunheboto: Medical Officers and staff of all health units including ASHAs of all the health units across Zunheboto district commemorated the day with activities such as hand washing techniques, waste management and segregation of biomedical waste, cleanliness drive in and around the public health facilities. Short talk sessions were also conducted for the public to create awareness on various health issues which come up due to hazardous effect pollution, communicable diseases, water sanitation and hygiene. 

COVID-19 awareness-cum-vaccination drive was also carried out for the 12-14 years (Corbevax) and 15-17 years age groups (Covaxin) in schools around the district, a press release informed.

Can Youth: Meanwhile, Can Youth in collaboration with Regional Ayurveda Research Centre (RARC), Dimapur, distributed First Aid Kit Boxes and Ayurveda medicine in Hazadisa village, Dhansiripar and conducted Health Camp with Dr Deepak Rahangdale, Research Officer as the resource person.

The programme was attended by village leaders, ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers, adolescents and elders from Hazadisa Village, Manglamukh Village and Ganeshnagar Village, a press release informed.

Dr Deepak Rahangdale spoke on the importance of building good immunity in order to stay physically and mentally fit. He also shared about RARC, Dimapur and Ministry of AYUSH, stating that the community can avail free medicines at the Centre. He stressed on the importance of Ayurveda medicine while advising against ‘unnecessary medicines’ which are harmful for the body. Stating that ‘Prevention is better than cure,’ he emphasised on following a better diet, lifestyle and a healthy eating habit which will boost the immunity.

A total of 118 community people above the age of 12 years were provided with free Ayurveda medicine (Samshamani Vati medicine and Ashwagandha Ghan Vati medicine), the release stated while adding that the organisation also provided support to the ASHA and Anganwadi Workers by handing them medicine for the wellness of the community.

The adolescents of Hazadisa Village, Manglamukh Village and Ganeshnagar Village donated First Aid Kit Boxes provided by Can Youth, to their respective village leaders.

During the Medical Camp, a combined adolescent club of the three villages was formed with the aim to empower and enhance leadership skills, the press release stated.